With a brand new coach along with some new players, the Otterbein women's lacrosse team is preparing to face the new experiences that the 2024 season will bring.
Brooke Delara took over as head coach last December after the previous head coach, Rachael Griffith decided to move on as head coach of women's lacrosse at Western Connecticut State University.
“Everyone has been very supportive and everything is finally coming together,” says Delara.
Although Delara had no collegiate coaching experience before accepting her new position, Otterbein felt she was the best choice due to her experience in other fields.
Delara graduated from Capital University in 2022 and had a very decorated career on their lacrosse team. As a senior in 2022, she was the nation's leading scorer in Division III and also helped lead her team to an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) title. Although she accomplished all of those feats as Otterbein’s rival, she is ready to help lead the Cardinals.
After finishing last year with a record of 8-8, the Cardinals will be looking to finish above .500 in the 2024 season.
“I think we could make a really good run,” said Delara. She is proud of them for pulling together and she believes that their roster has the skill and determination to compete with the best.
Although the roster has players who lack experience, Delara believes she has found some diamonds in the rough that could immediately contribute to the team. “The new players have really come together with the returning players and I think we can do very well for ourselves,” said Delara.
Chemistry and culture will serve as Otterbein’s motivation coming into this season. Maggie Nance, whom Delara referred to as “one of the best goalies,” she has ever seen, said the team’s chemistry is “family-like.” Nance will be a key factor for success this season alongside the other players on the team.
Otterbein women's lacrosse starts their season against Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky on Feb. 24, and they play the team's first game in the OAC on March 23, against Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio.
